February 2016


Photo by Ken Newman
 
The 19th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place February 12 through 15. Anyone in the world can count birds at any location for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter their sightings at www.BirdCount.org. The information gathered by tens of thousands of volunteers helps track changes in bird populations on a massive scale. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada.
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LOVE Hopewell/Prince George 

You are warmly invited to browse this newsletter and please come by or call if we can help you plan an excursion.

Sincerely yours, 
Staff of the Certified Virginia Visitor Center located in Hopewell/Prince George at the crossroads of history in the heart of "Made in Virginia."

4100 Oaklawn Blvd. / PO Box 1297 Hopewell, VA 23860
804-541-2461 or tourism@hpgchamber.org

History
WOW!  Looks who's Celebrating 100 Years. HOPEWELL VA!!!.  A year of special activities is being planned for a grand celebration.  Watch for future details.
  
The Petersburg National Battlefield has scheduled some special events for February: 
  
February 7
An overview of the Battle of Hatcher's Run on the 151st anniversary is being presented at its Five Forks Battlefield Visitor Contact Station, 9840 Courthouse Rd, Dinwiddie.  For more information, contact Tracy Chernault at Tracy_Chernault@nps.gov or call 804 469-9093.
  
February 21
A tour is planned to highlight the role of the United States Colored Troops (USCT's) at the Battle of the Crater.  Walk in the footsteps of those who served in these units on July 30, 1864 and see sites that are almost invisible during the summer months.   Tour begins at 2:00 pm, the main battlefield, Eastern Front Tour Stop #7, 5001 Siege Rd, Petersburg.  For additional information e-mail  Emmanuel_Dabney@npg.gov, or call 804 732-3531 ext 222.
  
February 27
Over 100,000 African American men served in uniform during the Civil War, which was a dramatic turning point in the history of black men and women.  The Eastern Front Visitor Center, 5001 Siege Rd, Petersburg, has a special presentation scheduled at 2:00 pm.  For more information e-mail Aaron_Rowland@nps.gov or call 804 732-3531 ext 205.
   
Community Events 

Exhibit: "Visions of Change and Renewal" featured at Hopewell and Prince George Libraries.  In her two-part exhibit photographer, Sharon Heyward connects the  
adversity and perseverance old buildings reveal to that of her own experience as an African American growing up in Newark, NJ. Ms. Heyward currently resides in Hopewell.  Each part of this exhibit will be on display February 1 through February 27 in two locations: 
Hopewell - "A Dream Deferred: Visions Of Change And  Renewal."
        Prince George - "Sweet Home Virginia: Visions Of Change and 
        Renewal."
 
Look for a ribbon-cutting this month at Sweet Tooth Candy, 227 East Broadway, Hopewell. With the help of a grant from the Hopewell Downtown Partnership, Craig Richards and his wife Tammy opened their candy store in mid-December.  Craig describes himself as a third generation chocolatier, using recipes created by his grandmother and handed down through the family. He started making candies with his mother when he was in his early teens and has operated a wholesale chocolate business before opening the shop. The Richards' selection of candies includes handmade candy bars and molded chocolate, fudge, truffles, boxed candy, sugar-free candy, hard candy, sour candies and gummies. They also offer specialty candies, such as their best-selling Moonshine Truffle. For Valentine's Day, they are offering two specials: chocolate-dipped strawberries (dipped in white, milk or dark chocolate) and custom Valentine hearts. Sweet Tooth Candy is open from 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday and from 12 noon to 5 pm on Sunday.  For more information, you can give Tammy a call at 804-255-7005.
 

Valentine Tea at Pamplin Park on February 13     
at 2:00 pm.  Ladies and gentlemen in period dress will teach 19th-century etiquette, while enjoying gourmet tea and snacks. Learn about Valentine's Day history and traditions of romantic courtship during Civil War era. Reservations Required.  
Pamplin Historical Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, 804 861-2408,

 
Enjoy an Evening with Frederick Douglass on February 18 at 7:00 pmNathan Richardson, acclaimed poet and spoken word performer, captures the physical and spiritual essence of the great orator and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. Program include refreshments and audience participation and remarks related to Black History Month. This event is FREE at the  Burrowsville Library and Community Center, 18701 James River Dr, Disputanta.  Call  757 866-0659 for more information or go to http://www.arls.org/services/events-programs/adult-events-programs/.  
 
Thinking about your Garden, yet?  The Virginia Cooperative Extension - Prince George is currently accepting applications for the 2016 Master Gardener training class.  Master Gardeners are specially trained volunteers who provide horticulture education on soils, plant propagation, lawns, pest management, vegetables, fruit, and more.  The Prince George class will meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. If you are interested in more information or to register, call 804 733-2686 or go to http://offices.ext.vt.edu/prince-george/.  
 
 
  Love "Dancing with the Stars"?  You can now learn to Ballroom Dance (basic Waltz, Fox Trot, and East Coast Swing) at the Prince George Community Center, 11100 Old Stage Road, Prince George, VA.  Beginners and experienced dancers, everyone is  welcome.  Register now, classes begin on Wednesday, March 2, at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm for 5 weeks.  Program fee is $20 per participant.  Register online at http://www.princegeorgeva.org/index.aspx?page=968 or at the Parks and Recreation office.
 
  
Celebrate National Health Month
The Petersburg Chapter of The Links Inc. invites everyone (young, old, or in between) to join them in a healthy walk inside Southpark Mall, food court entrance, on February 6, from  7:30 am - 9:30 am.  Grab your friends and family, put on your best "T" and jogger, and lace up your walking shoes.  For more information contact, Yvette Robinson, Chair, Health and Human Services, 804 732-4921, or e-mail Yvette7@aol.com.
 
  Hopewell Recreation and Parks is offering several fitness and physical health program opportunities for all ages.  Just some samples are Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness and the Good Body Fitness programs. They also have walking club, exercise programs, healthy living and meal planning series, and a lunch and learn series.  Programs are for the young, seniors, and everyone in between.  Check them out, you will be amazed!  Call or visit them at 100 W. City Point Road, Hopewell, or 804 541-2353 or www.hopewellva.gov and www.facebook.com/hopewellrecandparks.  
 
   
Entertainment
   
Destination Theater.  Seen a good, top-rated movie lately?  Now, do it for less. Showing First Class Movies (cost starting at $5), 5246 Oaklawn Blvd (The Crossings Shopping Center), N. Prince George.  For show times and latest movies go to www.destinationtheater.com or call 804 415-4000.   
FREE popcorn coupons are available at the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 4100 Oaklawn Blvd, Hopewell.


The BEACON THEATRE.  Come on in, the weather's fine INSIDE. Check out these top acts and get your tickets early to assure you get the best seating.  The Beacon Theatre, 401 N Main St, Hopewell, 804 446-3457, www.thebeacontheatreva.com. Beacon
  
Feb 5 - Sierra Hull featuring Ethan Jodziewics & Justin Moses with guest Sam Lewis.    6:30 pm doors open.   General Admission Balcony: $16.50, Door $20; Orchestra Reserved Lev 1: $25, Door $30; Orchestra Reserve Lev 2: $20, Door $25; Orchestra Pit: $35, Door $40

Feb 11 - The Stylistics.   6:00 pm doors open.  General Admission Balcony: $35, Door $40; Orchestra Reserved Lev 1: $55, Door $60; Orchestra Reserve Lev 2: $40, Door $45; Orchestra Pit: $75. Door $80
 
Feb 13 - Triple B - Better Blues Band CD Release Celebration with special guests,  Jimmy Tynes and Sheila Holman.   6:30 pm doors open.   General Admission Balcony: $15, Door $20   

Feb 18 - The Outlaws with guest TBA.   6:00 pm doors open.   Balcony Reserved: $20, Door $25; Orchestra Reserved Lev 1: $35, Door $40; Orchestra Reserve Lev 2: $30, Door $35; Orchestra Pit: $50, Door $55
 
Feb 20 - Neil Simon Festival's: Driving Miss Daisy. Starring: Clarence Gilyard, Jr.
(Walker Texas Ranger/Die Hard/Top Gun) and Sheree Wilson (Walker Texas Ranger/ Dallas).   6:00 pm doors open.   Balcony Reserved: $25, Door $30; Orchestra Reserved Lev 1: $35, Door $40; Orchestra Reserve Lev 2: $30, Door $35
 
Feb 24 - Don Williams with guest TBA.   6:00 pm doors open.   Balcony Reserved: $30, Door $35; Orchestra Reserved Lev 1: $50, Door $55; Orchestra Pit: $100, Door $105
 
Feb 26 - Four Bitchin' Babes.   6:30 pm doors open.  General Admission Balcony: $20, Door $25; Orchestra Reserved Lev 1: $35, Door $40; Orchestra Reserve Lev 2: $30, Door $35; Orchestra Pit: $50, Door $55 

Feb 27 - Illusionist Rick Thomas.  6:30 pm doors open.  Balcony Reserved: $27, Door $32; Orchestra Reserved Lev 1: $42, Door $47; Orchestra Reserve Lev 2: $37, Door $42; Orchestra Pit: $75, Door $80


 
Did you know Fort Lee has a Playhouse and it's open to the public? Live Play on stage Feb 5 thru 20 is  "Biloxi Blues". A Neil Simon play about a New Yorker, Eugene Jerome, who enlists in Army at the end of WW II and goes to Biloxi, MS, for basic training. Building 4300 Mahone Ave, Fort Lee, 804 734-6629
                        Feb 5-6, Feb 12-13, Feb 19-20 - 8:00 pm show time
                        Feb 7, 14, 21 - 3:00 pm show time
( Special Note:  Must allow sufficient time to get visitor's pass at Gate Entrance.)
 
 
 
 
NOW thru Mar 5 - "The Little Lion" at Swift Creek
Mill Theatre.  This world-premiere drama by playwright Irene Ziegler is based upon the book by Chesterfield County resident Nancy Wright Beasley.  This story chronicles the struggle of a Jewish family in Kovno Ghetto, Lithuania, during World War II, to survive the Holocaust and the heroism of Laibale Gillman, a teenaged boy, known as "the little lion", who never stopped fighting for freedom.  Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, S Chesterfield, Tickets: $38+ theatre; $55+ theatre and dinner, 804 748-5203 or http://www.swiftcreekmill.com/.  Reservations Recommended/ Dining Reservations Required, 6:30 pm Dinner and Evening Performance, 8:00 pm Evening Performance 
  

  
RECREATION
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT -  
Jan thru Aug - Every Kid in a Park.  Have you visited a National Park recently - for FREE?  The National Park service has an ongoing Program that began in Aug 2015 and continues through Aug 2016 to get kids and their families into the National Parks.  This is a special opportunity for 4th graders to act as ambassadors.  If your child is 10 years old or in fourth grade, they can participate in a fun online activity and receive a voucher for a FREE 4th Grade Annual Pass to the National Parks.  Print the voucher and take it with you to a national park for free entrance.  Must have your 4th grader with you.  For more information go to: http://www.nps.gov/kids/index.cfm or call 804 732-3571.  Enjoy some fun, quality family time, and fresh air in a National Park this YEAR!